XXL’s 25 Essential Independent Hip-Hop Albums

Blackmoon Enta Da Stage; Nervous, 1993
In the mid-1990’s groups like Wu-Tang Clan, Oynx and Brooklyn’s Blackmoon owned the New York rap scene. But while major labels backed the Wu and those crazy baldheads, Blackmoon put their debut out on an indie dance label by the name of Nervous Records. Led by MC Buckshot, Enta Da Stage became a welcomed addition to NY’s boom-bap legacy and helped lay the foundation for his and Dru Ha’s Duck Down Records.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony E. 1999 Eternal; Ruthless/Relativity, 1995
Hard to believe that this multi-platinum album was initially released independently, but before they were absorbed into the Sony system, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony dropped their first album on Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records, through Relativity. Thanks to songs like the Grammy-award winning single “Tha Crossroads,” E. 1999 Eternal is one of the brightest moments in the history of hip-hop independence.

B.G. Chopper City; Cash Money, 1996
Before signing with Universal, Bryan “Birdman” Williams’ Cash Money Records was all the rage in New Orleans. One of the reasons? B.G.’s Chopper City. The Southern classic featured Juvenile and Bun B and was produced by Mannie Fresh.

Jay-Z Reasonable Doubt, Roc-A-Fella/Priority; 1996
Hard to image any label turning down Jay-Z, but after Hov and company got shut down by major label suitors in the mid-1990s Rioc-A-Fella then took the independent route. Though the album was later re-released on Def Jam years later, initially Reasonable Doubt was dropped through then-independent distributor Priority Records. In the end, “Priority’s work wasn’t right” so Jigga switched factories. In a major way.

Master P Ice Cream Man; No Limit Records/Priority, 1996
When Master P released his first platinum album Ice Cream Man in 1996 on No Limit through Priority Records, he caught hip-hop fans off guard. Most had never heard of the local New Orleans label or its flossy CEO. Things quickly changed when P took his independent hustle and used it to build one of rap’s most storied empires. Uhhhh!

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does anyone know where i can buy Below The Heavens?? i found one copy online but it was going for like $127

http://www.xxlmag.com peterose24

itunes probably the best independent rap album in about 5-6 years overall one the the best albums in a while

bowlhed

I got mine from Amazon Mp3 for about $7

Malik

Madvillainy and Donuts are the only albums they have stayed in constant rotation, I mean the ENTIRE albums. Play them front to back at least 10 times each month.

Chris S. I believe they stopped production on the albums, you’re going to have to download on iTunes or Amazon if want to put money in Blu’s pocket. You can get Johnson&Jonson on CD though.

Chris S

damn. i got a pretty nice cd collection going and i like to add to it with Below the heavens but i guess i might get it off iTunes first.

you should try to get up on some Atmosphere. the rapper, Slug, is just incredible and the producer, Ant, is just as impressive. check out When Life Gives You Lemons…

Just Sayin

Solid list…one gripe though. Where is Pastor Troy?! “We Ready, I Declare War” was IT down here in Columbia,SC. I know somebody fucks with me on this one.

DV8

I remember that shit. I was in Texas when that came out. Automatic crunk fest when that shit came on. The whole album was pretty solid.

Tommie Bunnz

Ayo, Just Sayin is right bout Pasto Troy. We Ready I D eclare War is stil in my rotation. I was stationed in VA when I heard it from my homie, and had to cop that shit.

swype-matic

Glad to know that a couple of these are in my collection

that nigga

You guys kill me, supposed to be journalists but never do the full homework of your articles. WTF happened to CORMEGA and his Legal Hustle imprint? He sold over 700,000 records independently and also won an award for best Independent Artist for The Realest. Do your fuckin homework XXL.

swype-matic

Yea, it did seem like it was certain albums they chose, overlookin’ others. I might catch some flack for this, but I woulda had Lil Flip’s “The Leprechaun”. It sold 100K fast just from word of mouth, and and was the first houston rapper to really start houston’s mainstream rise.

e.l.

Scarface?

swype-matic

Scarface and the Geto Boys laid the foundation for that to happen, but even when they did come out, not every radio station played their stuff, and not many other Houston artists were really breakin’ through (or allowed to break through) [besides UGK] then. Because of Lil’ Flip, people really took notice to Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, and Chamillionaire.

JustMe

i think of all of those E.1999 Eternal is the most succesfull, with close to 10million copies sold -n- a Grammy.

what about slim thug? dude went platinum by himself. thats how he got signed to star trak.

Yungtex

Fuck that list no Z-Ro or Trae

Carpino

the bay started the independent hustle. mac dre, too short n the many other ogs always held it down for the bay

TUNED2IT

Good lookin’ out on that TECH N9NE’s KILLER, def a hot album. DOES ANYONE remember DJ MAGIC MIKE?? I thought some of that ish he did on cheeta records was ill. Sound off below if you feel me…

Robert Faulk

“Hard to believe that this multi-platinum album was initially released independently, but before they were absorbed into the Sony system, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony dropped their first album on Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records, through Relativity”

“Creepin Oh ah Come Up?”

I know B.O.N.E. Enterprise was Independent, but COaCU? and E.99?

Wallman

Eminem – Infinite

Wu Clanman

WHere’s “the mask and the mouse” by mf doom, or “operation doomsday”??????????????

Brahsef

I can’t believe some of you are bitchin about records left out. They can’t put everything got dayum. The list is pretty solid overall.

gaddic

Where the fuck is Brother Ali’s 1st or second album?
Every B.Ali’s ALBUM IS A FUCKING CLASSIC!

beaver

Madvillainy IS FUCKKIN CLASSIC..

DETROIT

WOW…no TOO SHORT or E-40?

Anonymous

half of this is garbage

W. J. Rice

I feel old, I have all this shit as it came out except Ra Allah and Criminal minded. I was too young to cop that shit when it first came out

The Southern Comfort

Not a bad list and I suppose meant to be somewhat representative regionally and in terms of era as opposed to strictly the BEST 25 indie releases.
One i definitely thought should be there though is Cannibal Ox “The Cold Vein”. it’s a phenomenal album and El-P’s production is mind-blowing.
From this list though it’s clear that indie labels have produced the most artistic examples of hip-hop for a long minute, keep up the good work!

robmarkman

We talked about “Cold Vein” but ultimately Funcrusher Plus kinda feels that lane.. El P Fantastic Damage is a good one too.

The Southern Comfort

Thanks for the response Rob, fair enough you’ve only got so many spots and many a style to touch on, i don’t have funcrusher plus so will definitely have to get it if it’s in that league.
To be honest, pretty much any Def Jux release could sit nicely up in here. keep ‘em coming man!

brand-new

we need jedi mind tricks, “violent by design” on the list

Herman

I heard that, man. That album was so sick.

But overall, a solid list. I was surprised at how many albums I own on here. Nice read, great Hip Hop.

gift

overall, i feel the lists of albums was pretty solid. I can’t believe not one DJ SCREW album made the cut. Dude had 3 n the mornin, Blue 22, all work no play, and many other’s. Honestly, without screw, houston wouldn’t be anywhere near where it is now. THat man put it down in a real way for H-town and for Texas. I know niggas is trippin by not mentioning E-40. That cat revolutionized what it means to be independent. Come on XXL. Overall though, good list.

http://www.bboycult.com $yk

Yo Rob,

you’ve been killing the posting fam. Except my late pass to this one…

J.Pinto

OVERCAST!- Atmosphere. great stuff

edwin

you put tech n9ne but dont even put Proof – searching for jerry garcia. i dont get it

SouthparkMexican sold 1.2 million records just from hustle town , third wish , and power moves. Plus if you add the sales for when devil strike 160,000 and the last chair anothe 100,000 sold independenly,this nigga still doing it from behind the walls,